A sister devoted to pastoral care
In conjunction with the religious women and men of Prince Edward Island who are participating in the Year of Consecrated Life as invited by Pope Francis, The Guardian is featuring some of these men and women. This month’s profile is on Sr. Bernice Steele.
Congregation: Sisters of St.
Martha of P.E.I.
Hometown: Bedford.
Years in vowed profession: 51 years.
Ministries: Registered nurse, laboratory assistant and hospital office manager; pastoral care coordinator, QEH and St. Marcy Clare’s Hospital, St. John’s, N.L; sister co-ordinator for the Sisters at the Mount; presently on sabbatical.
Favourite image of Jesus: Allowing Mary Magdalen to anoint his feet with oil, much to the chagrin of those around her.
A person who influenced my faith life: One of my religious sisters who has been a mentor to me for 45 years.
An Island spot I especially like: St. Peters Bay because of the beauty and because I was baptized in St. Peters Church and I lived nearby lived in Five Houses until I was five years old.
If I could lunch with a saint: It would be Saint Hildegard of Bingen because of her music and love of nature.
What rocks my world today: the excitement around what scientists have discovered about the universe; how all is one in the Universe and how science and theology are working together.
Something I appreciate about community life: Our common mission, God’s mission and the support that is provided in community, i.e. spiritual, emotional and physical such as common prayer, worship, dreams and fun together.
An interesting fact about me: My love of people and nature and my sense of humour.
My favorite author: Elizabeth A. Johnston.
Slogan I would give for my life: “You are God’s work of art” Eph. 4.
What I would say to someone considering choosing religious life: You must have a desire to be humble and strong servants who are open to the newness of the 21st century; have a desire to live the “new normal” that does not have a secular road map but the road map of Scripture interpreted in a new way, in a new century; have a passion to work for social and ecological justice.